Preparation of low density, high-strength, strong hydrophobic particles (LHSPs) and its application as oil fracturing proppant

Abstract

Aiming at the problems of the high density of conventional proppant and poor sand carrying performance of slick water in shale oil and gas exploitation. A kind of polymer microsphere with low density and high strength and strong hydrophobic properties (LHSPs) was synthesized by using a silane coupling agent in one step and used as proppants in petroleum fracturing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra showed that the silane coupling agent formed a rough interface on the particles, which greatly improved the strength and hydrophobicity of the microspheres. The density of LHSPs is 1.075 g·cm^-³; Under 69 MPa, the breakage rate of LHSPs was 6.3%. The static water contact Angle is 124°, showing strong hydrophobic state. Meanwhile, the suspension performance test further shows that the ratio of quartz sand to LHSPs settlement is 288 at 120 °C. Water control experiments have also been used to prove that LHSPs can reduce the velocity of water flow and achieve the purpose of water control. The conductivity test shows that LHSPs have good conductivity in gas phase. As the pressure rises to 69 MPa, the quartz sand and LHSPs deflection capacity multiple reached 20 times. This work proves that the preparation of LHSPs is successful and has a broad application prospect in improving the fracturing effect and enhancing shale oil and gas recovery.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Shale oil and gas
• low density
• high-strength
• hydrophobicity
• proppant

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Key R&D Projects in Sichuan Province (2021YFG0112) and the Opening Project of Oil & Gas Field Applied Chemistry Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (YQKF202007).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.